Don Shelton has taken a nontraditional path to become a finalist for the Eastern Michigan University presidency, a route that observers say casts him as both an insider and outsider.

Don Shelton

Shelton, one of four finalists, has served as a Washtenaw County Circuit Court judge for 18 years.

His resume includes a law degree, not a doctorate. He's a judge and lawyer, not a professor and provost.

But some on campus regard Shelton as the ultimate insider candidate, a man with deep EMU connections and an understanding of the university's struggles and challenges.

Shelton lists his strongest asset as his singular commitment to EMU and the area. He notes his 11 years of teaching at Eastern, his tenure as mayor of Saline and the fact he's lived in Washtenaw County since returning from the Army in 1974.

"This is the only university I am interested in being president of," he said. "I love the university. I love what it was and what it can be. I would like to see this university return to being regarded as the premier teaching university in the state."

Shelton readily acknowledges he's a nontraditional candidate who hasn't been a department head or top administrator at another university.

Donald Shelton

Age: 63.

Job: Washtenaw County Circuit Court judge for past 18 years.

Among his other jobs: Partner in two law firms. Attorney in U.S. Army in Germany and in Litigation Division in Washington, D.C. Adjunct faculty member, Eastern Michigan University, 1997 to present.

Education: Bachelor's degree in social science from Western Michigan University, 1966; juris doctorate from the University of Michigan, 1969; master's degree in criminology and criminal justice from EMU, 2007.

Noteworthy: Served as EMU regent for three years. Served as Saline mayor from 1978-1986. Wrestled in college at WMU. Sings with Measure For Measure, a local choral society.

Quote: "We cannot simply have a process that attempts to maintain the status quo, because our status quo is simply not acceptable."

But he, along with several national experts in presidential searches, notes a growing trend to look outside college campuses for a president when one priority is focusing on external relations. That's particularly true for EMU, where the last two presidents have left amid controversy and a torrent of bad publicity.

"To the extent I don't have an education administrative background, I think the onus would be on me to ensure we have excellent people in those positions at the university," Shelton said.

Judy McLaughlin, a Harvard University professor who chairs the school's annual seminar for new presidents, said candidates like Shelton are emerging because the role of presidents has changed.

Pressures from government, communities, news media, bloggers and parents - along with the need to excel at fundraising - come together to demand a broader pool of candidates, she said.

"People seize upon what happens at colleges and universities," McLaughlin said. "There is no such thing anymore as an ivory tower."

Concern over candidacy

Almost from the start of the EMU presidential search last fall, Shelton's possible candidacy was common knowledge among veteran campus observers.

Some faculty members expressed concern that candidates weren't required to have a doctorate. They speculated the search was tailored to suit Shelton, a charge denied by Regents Roy Wilbanks and Jim Stapleton, who served as co-chairs of the presidential search advisory committee.

Stapleton said EMU's current challenges demand looking at a broad pool of candidates.

Observers also noted Shelton's ties with EMU officials like Wilbanks, a former top administrator who was a college wrestler like Shelton. Shelton has been a supporter of Eastern's wrestling program and served on EMU's Athletic Affairs Committee when it was chaired by Wilbanks.

"Everything I know about Judge Shelton as a jurist is positive," said Mark Higbee, a professor of history who is active in campus affairs. "But many in the EMU community are skeptical about him as a possible president because of his reported connections to the powers that be at Eastern."

Meet the candidates

Eastern Michigan University has set the schedule for the four presidential finalists to meet with various groups in the campus community May 6-9.

Finalists will meet throughout their day on campus with groups of students, faculty and staff, alumni and administrators. At 5 p.m. each day, a forum for the public will be held in the Student Center auditorium. Members of the university community are welcome to attend any of the forums throughout the day, but forums will be oriented toward each specific group. For a full schedule of the forums, check www.emich.edu.

The candidates and their day of visit are:

Tuesday, May 6: Michael Flanagan, superintendent of public schools for the state of Michigan.

Wednesday, May 7: Ken Burnley, senior resident fellow and director of the Education Leadership Center of the School of Education at the University of Michigan.

Friday, May 9: Susan Martin, provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs for the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Shelton said his EMU experience and perspective - which includes serving three years as a regent - would help him as president.

"You cannot be associated with the university for two decades without knowing the people," he said.

"I think it's an asset, not a liability."

Archer a supporter

Shelton appears to enjoy wide support on and off campus.

Among those nominating him for the presidency was Dennis Archer, a former mayor of Detroit and a former Michigan Supreme Court Justice.

Archer, who is considering a run for governor, said he knows Shelton mostly by reputation as a trial lawyer and a judge known for fairness. Shelton expressed interest in being EMU's president several years ago and again when the latest opening arose, Archer said.

"For someone who's not been a provost or full-time faculty, he had phenomenal insight into the issues of being a college president," Archer said.

Several professors who have worked with Shelton praised his kindness, intelligence and enthusiasm.

Jay Weinstein, a former head of EMU's Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology who also nominated Shelton, said the judge excels in many settings.
"He's someone who's been at the top and rubbed shoulders with common folk and is at ease in both of those contexts," Weinstein said.

Gregg Barak, a professor of criminology and criminal justice and a former grievance officer with the EMU professors' union, called Shelton a humanitarian who understands the relationship between the faculty and administration at EMU.

"He cares about victims of crime and perpetrators," Barak said. "He cares about people who work in the criminal justice system. ... He's connected to humans in a very profound way."

Fellow Circuit Court Judges Archie Brown, Timothy Connors, Melinda Morris and David Swartz lauded Shelton in an April 25 letter to Tom Sidlik, chairman of the EMU Board of Regents.

The judges cited Shelton's reorganization of the Washtenaw County Juvenile Court and later the Probate Court, saying he demonstrated abilities that make him "uniquely qualified to lead (EMU) into the future during challenging times."